Sunday, September 1, 2013

Fancy Ketchup

"If I had a million dollars
We wouldn't have to eat Kraft dinner
But we would eat Kraft dinner

Of course we would, we'd just eat more
And buy really expensive ketchups with it
That's right, all the fanciest dijon ketchups."
Bare Naked Ladies


If someone handed me a million dollars today, I'd turn around and hand my son the cash he needs to get his car out of the shop. I'd quickly pay off a few bills. Might buy two tickets to Wicked ~ it's playing in Boston, and I'd love to take my daughter. Then I'd pass the rest on to my husband and get him to handle it. Cause that what he does...handles things. And he'd know what would be the best thing to do.

If, upon receiving this imaginary million, I were to react recklessly...I'd go right out and buy a house. That had a studio. There would be plane tickets and vacations....Hawaii first. Then an Alaskan cruise. Then Paris. My daughter and I would buy out all the best camera equipment we could ever want. 

But I wouldn't react recklessly.


As I walked around the pond today, I pondered the notion of being given this kind of money. Truth is, I'd love some months {or years} of not having to weigh and measure every "I want" and some of the "I needs" by how they effect the bottom line. But ~ ha! ~ wouldn't everybody! 
The more I thought about it, the more grateful I felt for what I do have in my life. 
And I thought, like those Bare Naked Ladies, that even if I had the big bucks, I probably wouldn't choose to live much differently than I am now. Even if, metaphorically speaking, I didn't have to eat Kraft, I probably would anyway. 

So, I came to two conclusions.
First of all: The thing that attracts me most to the idea of having a little extra money, is the notion of choice. With or without money, it's important to make our lives as much about choice {and as little about have to} as we can! Choose that Kraft! And add the fancy ketchup when we can!


As my walk was winding down,
I saw this lovely couple on a bench...watching the swans.
And the second, most important conclusion became crystal clear.

I have the million dollar prize.
I have the love, friendship, companionship - the ease and excitement that comes from spending a life with the man of my dreams. And if a million {actual} dollars were added to my life, I'd want to use them to make sure we get as many years together as we can possibly manage in this world!
I like the Kraft that I have.
Lots and lots more years of it....that would be my fancy ketchup.


Joining Kathy and friends for
Song-ography

23 comments:

  1. Oh Adrienne, I really like your "fancy ketchup" :). My Better Half is also the one who takes are of those things. He is the young to my yang. Thank goodness I have him because he grounds me many a time! BUT...I DID drag him to "Wicked" and he LOVED it! If you can make it work I would highly suggest you go :). Thanks for joining in on Song-ography. You always have a great insight :)

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  2. I like everything about this, your honesty and sharing how you feel. It is so good to have choices and it's nice to daydream about what if.... I think we all do it. Yesterday someone I knew died from cancer, he was in his fifties . I thought of all the people that passed away this year and I realized again how health is wealth and in the end the only thing anyone wants is to be with the ones they love. Love gives us life and sustains us.

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  3. I am so touched by your story here.
    I will return again and again.

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  4. What a wonderful post - so beautiful and so heart felt.
    I, too, am married to my "Dream Boy" and wouldn't change our lives other than to let him handle the mulah & take the pressure & worry out of his life that we're taken care of.

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  5. I agree 100%! I could never give up my Kraft Mac & Cheese :). It's nice to dream, but I'm good with dreaming...I'm happy with what I have. However, if you can splurge..definitely go see Wicked!

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  6. Oh, Adrienne, this was beautiful!! I would for sure get tickets to see Wicked!

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  7. This is a great post and love your thought provoking, and so true words!

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  8. Beautifully written. I love your attitude of being thankful. Money really can't buy love and all that you have already that makes life sweet. The photo of the couple on the bench is poignant and brings home your point perfectly. Wonderful post!

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  9. Beautifully written. I love your attitude of being thankful. Money really can't buy love and all that you have already that makes life sweet. The photo of the couple on the bench is poignant and brings home your point perfectly. Wonderful post!

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  10. Oh - I love what you have written here and you are so right.Being contend and happy with the life we are leading is the most important .And it is nice to sometimes have a fancier version if "Kraft" but always...?

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  11. yes...those are the real things after all. Lucky are we who know that.

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  12. oh adrienne, i wish you had your own palace, with a studio...with a view!! someday, you will have that!!

    love your images today, especially the couple on the bench!!

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  13. This is such a beautiful post...now I feel guilty about my million! visiting from Kathy's.

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  14. Beautifully said. Like the scripture...Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

    Really thought your post was insightful and the photo of the older couple so poignant. Loved it.

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  15. I love this, because one thing I know to be true is that money does not buy contentment. I think we imagine that it will, but really it just fuels our need to have more. Sometimes it would be nice to have a little extra, but I know it doesn't bring the happy.

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  16. Beautifully photographed and written, my friend! xo BTW, that is one of my favorite songs ever! Love the BNL!

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  17. Beautifully photographed and written, my friend! xo BTW, that is one of my favorite songs ever! Love the BNL!

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  18. Another lovely post, my online friend!

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  19. I love your ponderings and pics. Yep, I think you are right. More sources means more (and sometimes better) choices. I don't think that I'd change what I do either.

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  20. I love your post, I think you hit it on the head.
    I'd still like bologna sandwiches on white bread every once in a while, with mayo!!

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  21. You have some wonderful pictures - but even more, you have written a great post. It is so easy to get caught up with wants that we forget how blessed we are - never hurts to strive, but appreciation is a good grounding. (something I preach to my children time and again. They have cousins that in fact do have millions; kids that I love, but who have no idea of what it is like to really WANT something - WANT it bad enough to work and save for it and then respect and cherish it. It is all disposable to them. They have a hard lesson in life down the road.)

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  22. What a lovely post-love that old couple seemingly content-as if they have life's riches.
    Kind of cool how this song took you on this mind journey-and even better that you shared it with us.
    As for the fancy ketchup. Ketchup makes everything taste better. I always splurge on ketchup (good socks and underwear too).
    Happy day to you.

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  23. your post is so thoughtful! it's is amazing that you can have your most profound thoughts during a walk. what a fabulous picture of the adorable couple.

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